BOSTON — The Red Sox have now lost two All-Star shortstops this winter and haven’t added any.
Their chances of jumping out of the cellar in the American League East took a sharp hit on Tuesday, when the Red Sox announced that Trevor Story underwent a successful internal bracing procedure of the right ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing elbow.
The procedure is considered a lighter version of Tommy John surgery and typically contains a four-to-six month recovery process.
Chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom is scheduled to meet with reporters Tuesday to discuss the news.
It was widely known throughout the industry that Story had a cranky elbow and it was a big reason why many wondered if he was capable of handling shortstop after spending the 2022 season at second base. When attempting longer throws during pregame warmups, he was often seen throwing lollipops that lacked the typical strength of a middle infielder.
But Bloom said just last month that the Red Sox were prepared to start the season with Story at shortstop.
“It’s certainly something we’ve talked about, something we’re aware of,” Bloom said after former Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts signed with the Padres in December. “Trevor’s aware of it. It’s obviously not a secret. I would say a couple of things.
“One, we are optimistic that wherever he’s playing, that we’re going to be in a better position with him. Just now having built that relationship, that trust with him, being able to take an entire offseason to get in front of this. But two, his range is just so incredible. We saw, he can make throws on the run. When he has to put a little something on the ball, he can. I just think wherever we put him, he’s gonna get to so many balls that it’ll all play.”
Baseball players often use November and December to rest before ramping up their throwing again in January, a process former Red Sox infielder Lou Merloni reminded us of on Monday via a post on his Twitter page.
If Story didn’t start throwing until late December or early January, his elbow could have responded negatively, resulting in the surgery that’ll likely keep him out until mid-summer.
But the USA Today reported that Story was “quite aware he would need elbow surgery” this offseason and was holding onto hope that he could avoid it with rest. That makes it all the more confusing why the Red Sox haven’t addressed their middle infield needs this offseason.
Story was expected to be the everyday shortstop in Bogaerts’ absence. He was also scheduled to play in the World Baseball Classic representing Team USA starting in mid-March.
Instead, he’ll miss a large chunk of the season for the second consecutive year after he played in just 94 games in 2022 due to a hand/wrist injury.
Story’s six-year, $140 million contract with the Red Sox last spring was the largest contract signed by Bloom until he agreed to a $331 million extension with third baseman Rafael Devers.
Without Story, the Red Sox’ already-slim chances of competing in a difficult division will plummet.
They recently designated Jeter Downs for assignment and the only middle infielders on their 40-man roster are Kiké Hernandez, Christian Arroyo, Enmanuel Valdez, David Hamilton and Ceddanne Rafaela. Hernandez was expected to be the everyday center fielder. Arroyo is the only one of the bunch with big league experience.
Justin Turner, 38, used to play some second base, but hasn’t started a game at second since 2015. Bobby Dalbec, primarily a first and third baseman, has made five big league appearances in the middle infield.
There are few options remaining on the free-agent market after Carlos Correa agreed to a contract with a third team on Tuesday, reportedly agreeing to a $200-million deal over six years with the Twins after both the Giants and Mets reneged on contracts due to concerns over Correa’s injury history and long-term health.
Jurickson Profar, Elvis Andrus and Andrelton Simmons are the best remaining middle infielders available via free agency and the Sox are now almost certain to sign one of them.
